Candidates debate includes discussion of Iran

The intensity of the campaigning is picking up with less than a month to go until the Iowa Caucuses, but the candidates are maintaining a sense of humor. During Tuesday’s Democratic presidential debate, part of the focus was on U.S. relations with China. John Edwards was asked if he would buy toys this Christmas that were made in China. Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd was quick with a follow-up that resonated with all the candidates.

Edwards says, "My kids will not have toys coming from China," while Dodd interrupts amidst much laughter from others, saying, "My toys are coming from Iowa. I’m buying Iowa toys. They’re going to eat Iowa food…" The candidates also discussed U.S. relations with Iran and immigration policy in the two-hour debate at the State Historical Museum in Des Moines.

Seven Democrats took part in the debate, including Hillary Clinton, who says problems loom for the U.S. economy and the growing financial burden on the middle class. Barack Obama says if he’s elected, the issue of climate change will be at the top of his agenda.

Obama says, "Science seems to be coming in and indicating it’s accelerating even more quickly with every passing day and by the time I take office, I think we’re going to have to have a serious conversation about how drastic steps we need to take to address it." Joe Biden says failing U.S. trade polices need to be addressed, while Christopher Dodd says America’s Education system is in need of an overhaul.

He says, "It’s the heart of who we are, both in terms of our governance and economic strength in the future in convincing everyone in the country of the importance and the priority of that issue something I think is going to be critical to the success of our country in the 21st century." The debate was sponsored by Iowa Public Radio and NPR.